A total of 89 of the party’s 257 MPs ignored front bench orders to abstain from voting either for or against an amendment to the bill, that sought to prioritise European Economic Area (EEA) membership in EU negotiations.

They included six Labour MPs who quit senior roles minutes before the vote – which saw the amendment defeated by 201 – in order to rebel against the party’s abstentionist position.

But the rebels were split, with 74 voting in favour of the Lords amendment, which called for the Government to pursue the so-called ‘Norway Model’ membership, and 15 against it.

Jeremy Corbyn is facing a fresh Brexit headache after several MPs defied his whip on an amendment vote (Rex)